As OUC marks its centennial, we take great pride in sharing the stories of the individuals behind Orlando’s hometown utility. This series of articles commemorates the legacy of OUC in our 100th year (1923-2023) of service as The Reliable One.

“I’m getting a little chill just talking about it,” says Jody Rodgers, Lead Line Supervisor, as he describes what it’s like to be a lineman working on power restoration after a devastating storm.

“When you get there and see these people and the state they’re in . . .” he continues, his voice fading. “We want to get their power on as quickly and safely as possible. It’s a good feeling to be able to help people.”

What touches him the most are the gestures of appreciation local resident show line crews that respond to power outages. He recalls children offering bags of snacks to his crew of techs while working on a mutual aid deployment in Chattahoochee after Hurricane Michael tore through the Panhandle in 2018.

Jody has kept this photo of children offering his line crew snacks while on a mutual aid deployment to Chattahoochee in the wake of Hurricane Michael in 2018.

“I got everybody down from working on the lines to talk to them,” he says, adding he still keeps photos of the moment on his mobile phone. “It’s something like that that makes what we do so worthwhile.”

Then there were the thank-you letters Fairhope (Ala.) East Elementary fifth graders wrote to OUC after Jody’s crew helped restore power knocked out by Hurricane Sally in 2020. Jody put pencil to paper and wrote each student a personal reply.

Outside his office on a thumbtack board are similar letters of appreciation.

Jody has worked at OUC for nearly 40 years, starting in the Water Department in 1984. Two years later, he began his career as a line technician, rising from apprentice to journeyman through a methodical eight-year program that taught him how to climb and set utility poles, install and repair powerlines, and connect electric service to homes and businesses. More importantly, it taught him how to do his job safely.

“It’s a dangerous job, and you have to look out for yourself and the guys you’re working with. But it’s also challenging, exciting and never boring,” he says.

In his current role, Jody oversees three line crews comprised of 18 to 20 line techs of various experience levels. He has to balance his time between office-bound administrative duties and going out into the field to check on his crews. He prefers the latter.

“I love the camaraderie,” he says.

For someone with a high school education like Jody, a career in line work at OUC provides a good, stable living and excellent benefits.

“That’s what attracted me to get a job at OUC. I wanted to work for a company that offered good benefits and retirement,” he says.  “You can make a better living as a lineman than a lot of people with college degrees.”

Line work takes a toll on the body, and Jody says there comes a time when every line tech knows they either have to move into a supervisory role or retire, a decision he has given some thought lately.

His vision of retirement is quite simple and likely involves doting on his grandchildren.

“I’m excellent at doing nothing. My retirement will be doing whatever I want to do, whenever I want to do it,” he says.